Energy Storage Materials: Approaches Based on Sustainability

E.S. Takeuchi, K.J. Takeuchi, A.C. Marschilok
Stony Brook University,
United States

Keywords: energy storage

Summary:

Addressing energy storage requirements on a global scale is a pressing scientific challenge for the future. Alternatives to lithium based batteries are needed to achieve batteries with lower environmental impact and with the potential to be substantially lower cost than lithium ion systems. When envisioning scale up in the number and size of batteries produced to address new applications such as grid level energy storage and energy storage coupled with renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.), a big limitation is supply and cost of electroactive materials. The predominant metals used in modern batteries are available in limited quantities from narrow geographic locations. For example, the portable lithium ion battery technology which dominates today’s rechargeable (secondary) battery market contain cobalt (Co) as part of the active cathode material and lithium (Li) ion shuttles. Alternative materials that are lower cost with lower environmental impact are manganese (Mn) or iron (Fe) based redox centers which have significantly higher earth abundance than cobalt. This presentation will explore results on earth abundant materials and examples of alternatives to lithium ion shuttles.